published on 14.01.2008, 13:16 Author: Violet Farah Article rating:
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The Boyana Church St. Nikola and Pantheleimon is one of the Bulgarian monuments under the protection of UNESCO. It is located in Sofia’s Boyana residential district, on Boyansko Ezero Street. The medieval church is in UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. Some of the wall decorations in the church are well known all over the world.
Three construction phases produced the current-day church. The smallest part of the church was built in the late 10th century. The second stage took place in the 13th century with the construction of a two-storey church and a tomb. The last part of the complex was built in the 19th century.
Several layers of wall decorations have piled over each other. Only few fragments of the first layer can be seen. The second layer dates back to the middle of the 13th century. The most outstanding decorations appeared during this period. Over 240 wall paintings gained recognition because of their style and individuality.
Yet, the names of the artists who worked on these masterpieces remain unknown. They have received a collective name, the Boyana Master.
Restoration of the church began in 1912. Now it is open for visitors every day, apart from Mondays, from 9 am to 5 pm.
Three construction phases produced the current-day church. The smallest part of the church was built in the late 10th century. The second stage took place in the 13th century with the construction of a two-storey church and a tomb. The last part of the complex was built in the 19th century.
Several layers of wall decorations have piled over each other. Only few fragments of the first layer can be seen. The second layer dates back to the middle of the 13th century. The most outstanding decorations appeared during this period. Over 240 wall paintings gained recognition because of their style and individuality.
Yet, the names of the artists who worked on these masterpieces remain unknown. They have received a collective name, the Boyana Master.
Restoration of the church began in 1912. Now it is open for visitors every day, apart from Mondays, from 9 am to 5 pm.
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Religious tourism is probably one of the most popular and attractive manners to discover a country. Bulgaria has to offer a wide range of religious tourism opportunities. The country has numerous sanctuaries, most of which have managed to stand the test of time. Monasteries and churches have been existing over the centuries, preserving the spirituality, culture and beliefs of Bulgarian. Their history is often turbulent and saturated with peaks and downfalls. Today, the country has much to show to the world. Each Bulgarian sanctuary preserves its stories, works of art and religious charge. This part of the website will provide you with more information about the Bulgarian religious sites and what you can expect from each visit.
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Boyana Church